Hans Hayer, a German driver, was born in Monchengladbach. He started in only one grand prix, and in fact did that illegally. Due to limited experience in single seaters and a bad car, in the shape of the ATS Penske PC4, he failed to qualify for the 1977 German Grand Prix, finishing 27th with only 24 making the grid. However, as he was popular with the marshals, they allowed him to start from the back of the grid, to many people's surprise. His race ended ten laps later when the gearbox failed. He was subsequently disqualified, as well as being banned from starting the following race. He never raced in Formula One again.